Few people have been as critical of the England national team as Joey Barton.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle and Burnley midfielder is no stranger to controversy and his views on how the Three Lions operate have not exactly been positive.

Back in 2012 - when he was at Queens Park Rangers - Barton famously slammed Roy Hodgson's to call up Jordan Henderson instead of him to replace the injured Frank Lampard.

Then after the 2014 World Cup, Barton famously renounced his decision to retire from international football - which he made in 2013 - after watching the standard of football out in Brazil, where England were eliminated at the group stage.

"After reviewing England's performance at the WC, I have decided to renounce my international retirement," he said.

"Having seen the standard, I believe it's possible. Having played at the level before I feel I am a better player now than when I was capped.

"People might not know whether I'm being serious or not. Trust me, I am deadly serious. Thats all I'll say on the matter for now.

"Now it's time to put up or shut up."

The one time Barton was handed a chance to represent his country was in 2007, when Steve McClaren decided to call him up while he was impressing at Newcastle.

However, before he arrived at St. George's Park, there was already some hostility after Barton had openly criticised England's failed 'Golden Generation' for bringing out their autobiographies following their 2006 World Cup exit.

Barton said: "England did nothing in that World Cup, so why were they bringing books out? 'We got beat in the quarter-finals. I played like shit. Here's my book'."

Ouch. Steven Gerrard was one of the main targets of his words, as were Lampard and Ashley Cole, and Gerrard's reaction to try and diffuse the situation when Barton arrived was brilliant.

The Liverpool legend decided the best course of action was to leave a signed copy of his autobiography outside Barton's hotel room.

"I've signed it for him," Gerrard said. "You get a lot of time to yourself and I thought he might like to read it."

Not a bad way to make light of a tricky situation. Sadly, it did little to nullify Barton's attitude and warm him to the rest of the England squad, with his appearance against Spain shortly after his only cap for the senior side.